Solar air-conditioning for heating and cooling

We have developed new solar cooling technology that will change the way energy is used on a commercial scale, increasing energy efficiency while driving down business costs.

The challenge

Reducing commercial energy use

Building energy demands can often mean high energy consumption and high costs. Large commercial spaces such as shopping centres and hotels can use around 60 per cent of their total energy use for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC). So how can commercial buildings operate more efficiently while delivering cost savings?

Our response

Investing in new solar technology to drive efficiency

We have developed a cutting-edge solar-powered system using concentrating solar thermal technology that can cool Australian commercial buildings, achieving greater energy efficiency.

These solar troughs capture heat from the sun to provide cooling

These solar troughs capture heat from the sun to provide cooling

Operating at Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre in Ballarat, Victoria, the demonstration system produces solar heat energy used to power the air conditioning system. The closed-loop system uses two 'desiccant' wheels to remove moisture from the air, acting as a dehumidifier. A high temperature wheel uses solar heat for regeneration while the low temperature wheel functions without any external heat to deliver greater thermal efficiency. An indirect evaporative cooler reduces the temperature of the dehumidified air to provide comfortable temperature conditions.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) provided $520,000 support toward to the $1.2 million, three-year project, jointly managed by CSIRO with Stockland Group and NEP Solar.

The results

Delivering real outcomes for a clean-tech future

We are pioneering new technologies and this project is a world-first demonstration of a desiccant air conditioning system using roof mounted concentrating solar thermal collectors to drive energy efficiency.

The operational system is expected to reduce HVAC electricity usage for commercial buildings and can provide humidity controlled fresh air into the buildings. The roof space required for this pioneering technology can be 40 per cent less than a traditional single stage desiccant system.

Stockland assisted through the management of the project and is applying the findings into its renewable energy applications.

We will continue to assess and monitor the technology for 12 months to establish long-term commercial operations and further investment as part of our commitment to creating a low emissions future for Australia.

Learn more about our solar cooling research by taking a 360 degree virtual tour of our Controlled Climate Test Facility.

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Narrator: In Australia air conditioning and refrigeration consumes over 20% of all produced electricity and is responsible for around 50% of peak demand on the electricity system.

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Our controlled climate test facility tests the performance of air conditioning components under different climatic conditions to help improve the energy efficiency of residential and commercial air conditioning systems.

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This includes testing commercial evaporative coolers, heat exchanges and desiccant wheels to determine how they perform in a range of climatic conditions as well as new break-through components we have developed.

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These silver ducts are where two separate air streams are created, hot or cold or humid or dry.

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We can set a range from 0 to 90° C and 10 to 95% humidity

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to mimic real conditions from across the globe such as hot and dry like you would find in the Sahara Desert or hot and humid like you would find in Darwin. Why do we do this?

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Because we can push different technologies to the limit to see what works best and how to make improvements to help reduce energy use and costs.

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Our innovation isn’t just happening in a lab.

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It’s in the real world too including an Education Building at Hamilton TAFE in New South Wales and Stockland Shopping Centre in Ballarat Victoria. We’re continuing to work with our partners both locally and globally to help deliver a lower emissions future.

You can also visit our Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning Performance Test Facility where researchers evaluate conventional and solar-powered air-conditioning systems.

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[Music plays and the image changes to show a blue screen and CSIRO logo and text appears: National Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) Performance Test Facility]

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Narrator: Our National Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, HVAC Performance Test Facility may not have a jazzy name but it performs some impressive research to evaluate conventional and solar powered air conditioning systems.

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Inside we have two test rooms that can mimic conditions around the world to examine how well air conditioning systems perform.

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Specifically, how well they work and how much energy they use.

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This information can be used by consumers and Government or by industries to understand and improve product performance.

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The system under test can be powered by different solar, thermal and photovoltaic panels on the roof or electricity from the grid.

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We also have solar dish collectors that concentrate the heat from the sun at temperatures up to 500 degrees Celsius, store it and use it to power thermally driven chillers.

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By testing these systems in a real-world environment, we can evaluate performance before the technology is used in the field.

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This provides our partners with the confidence and expertise to identify which technologies are best for different applications and how to reduce system costs.

ARENA was established by the Australian Government as an independent agency on 1 July 2012 to make renewable energy technologies more affordable and increase the amount of renewable energy used in Australia. ARENA invests in renewable energy projects, supports research and development activities, boosts job creation and industry development, and increases knowledge about renewable energy.

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